SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Voice of America - Sudanese Protest Lifting of Fuel Subsidies

10/6/2021: Voice of America - Sudanese Protest Lifting of Fuel Subsidies, by Michael Atit 

Voice of America report that Sudanese protesters burned tires in Khartoum after the government lifted all subsidies on gasoline and diesel.   Sudan has been moving to implement IMF-monitored financial reforms in order to attract foreign financing.

Amu Adil, an electronic technician, said the fuel price hike will lead to higher prices for other basic commodities.  “Fuel is connected to all sorts of lives. Traders will charge any single cost of transportation they paid during the process of transporting goods. They will be forced to put that cost on the commodities and ordinary [citizens] will pay the cost,” he said.

Hajir al-Sir al-Awad, a business administration student, said that lifting fuel subsidies as Sudan faces serious economic challenges is a bad decision.  “I expect [the price of] everything to increase. My family will be forced to look for other sources of income to allow me go to college,” she said.